The quiet of the York Union Hall neighborhood was broken on Saturday May 7^th as Local 776 Stewards converged on the property with chain saws, trimmers and muscle. Along with the Local’s Officers and Business Agents they had a formidable task in front of them. The grounds received a good clean up with the trimming of the bushes and shrubs and then all surrounded in fresh mulch. Inside, the stage received a cleaning and waxing and the chairs in the meeting room were cleaned in anticipation of soon being used. After wards the Stewards were treated to a well-deserved lunch.

“On behalf of myself and all of the Officers and Business Agents I would like to thank the Stewards who came out and put in a hard day’s work helping clean up the property” commented Local President Ed Thompson. “The York Union Hall is a valuable asset to the Local Union.

“Maintaining a presence in York was a campaign commitment of ours and the best way to do that was to rehabilitate the existing building that had fallen into disrepair after being abandoned. Much has been done to rehab the building; a lot of the work has been done in-house to help contain costs. Meetings are currently being held at the Hall and two Business Agents are working there. We hope to have it fully staffed in the near future. Check back regularly for updates”.

Ready for Action!

Check back for updates on the progress of the York Union Hall

Teamsters Local 776 is proud to announce the first two recipients of our new scholarship opportunity.

Kayla Snyder - daughter of Matthew Snyder who works for UPS - she will be attending York college.
Antonice Mason - daughter of Anthony Mason who works for UPS - she will be attending West Chester University.

Afterwards Local President Ed Thompson commented; “I would like to congratulate the Local’s first recipients of our new scholarship opportunity and wish them well in their studies. These scholarships were possible thanks to the support of our members who bought raffle tickets at Local 776 events since January 2015. Information on this and other scholarship opportunities can be found under the Member Resources page of the Local’s website. I encourage all members to participate.”

On May 4, 2016 Local 776 traveled to Philadelphia, PA to support Teamsters Local 830 members in their fight against a sugary drink tax. Other Teamster Locals, different Unions, and even the employers who distribute the drinks participated in the protest. Local ABC Affiliate Channel 6 covered the protest; for more details follow the link below:

Sugary drink tax protest

On May 5, 2016, Local 776 Business Agent Spencer Dearth, Vice-President Dave Pogue, Organizer Mark Cicak, and Trustees Patrick Hollingshead and Robert Smiley joined other Teamsters in a rally outside the UPS shareholder meeting in Wilmington Delaware . The purpose of the rally was to send UPS a message to stop wasting valuable resources on groups like ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) whose legislative initiatives undermine the long-term interests of the company and shareholders. UPS remains an active member of ALEC despite the organization’s anti-worker and anti-union agenda that undermines and weakens worker protections.

On Saturday, April 23, 2016 Local 776 participated in the "Touch A Truck" event sponsored by the Rolling Acres PTO. The event was held at Alloway Creek Elementary School in Littlestown, Pa. Kids in attendance had the opportunity to see over 40 vehicles first hand. On display were Tractor Trailers, Buses, Fire Trucks, Police Vehicles, Ambulances, Delivery Trucks and Construction Equipment.

Local 776 members Rich Stover, a UPS Freight member, drove the Teamsters Local 776 Tractor Trailer and Officers Gary Gearhart, a Union Steward with the Littlestown Police Department, and Anthony Lupian displayed their Patrol Cars.

Local President Ed Thompson commented on the days events: “Foremost I would like to thank our members Rich, Gary, and Anthony for giving their time so that Local 776 could be represented at the “Touch a Truck” event. These kids are our future, I’m sure the Teamsters made an impression on them today and in the future as they enter the work force and possibly become members of our Union we will welcome them with open arms”

L-R: Officer Gary Gearhart, Rich Stover, Officer Anthony Lupian

Local 776 held their annual DRIVE dinner/dance on April 2, 2016. DRIVE members and their guests were treated to dinner and entertainment for their support of DRIVE.

In his opening remarks Local President Ed Thompson thanked the DRIVE members for their continued support. “You are leading the fight for working families throughout the country. This past November with your help all of the Local 776 endorsed candidates were elected to office. Local politics play an important role in our member’s lives, your contributions to DRIVE enable the Local Union to make workers rights and working conditions goals of the politicians we support. Thank you and enjoy your evening!”

After dinner their were short presentations made by our three guests: State Senator Rob Teplitz, Local 776 attorney Irwin Aronson, and radio talk show host Rick Smith. The evening concluded with entertainment by “Richie Molinaro and Mr. Lou”

L-R: Local 776 Pres. Ed Thompson, State Senator Rob Teplitz, Local 776 Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks

Local 776 Attorney Irwin Aronson

Talk show host Rick Smith. Information about Rick's show can be found on the home page.

Our guests meet with 60 year Teamster Reynold Chango

The year was 1956:

Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States.

Elvis Presley enters the United States music charts for the first time, with Heartbreak Hotel.

Norma Jean Mortenson legally changes her name to Marilyn Monroe.

Baseball pitcher Don Larsen of the New York Yankees throws the only perfect game in World Series history.

The cost of a gallon of gas was 22 cents and the average cost of a new car was $2,050.00

Local 776 member Reynold “Rey” Chango joined the Teamsters Union. Sixty years later he is still going strong. Rey has been a loyal Union member throughout his career. He is still working at YRC, he is active in the Local; he can be seen at most, if not all of the Local’s events and functions, and in 2011 was one of the team drivers who took the Local Union’s truck to the Teamster Convention in Las Vegas.

Local President Ed Thompson honored Rey for his long-term accomplishment at the March monthly membership meeting; “Sixty years as a Teamster; many of us aren’t even sixty years old!” Commented Ed. “Working under a strong contract that provides real wages, benefits, and job security encourages workers to stay on the same job, not continually looking for “something better”. I’d like to congratulate Rey for his dedication and support of the local Union throughout his career and wish him continued success both on and off the job”.

L-R Sixty year Teamster Reynold Chango, Local President Ed Thompson

Local 776 Officers and Business Agents congratulate "Rey" on his accomplishment

On Saturday March 19^th Local 776 traded in Teamster blue and gold for green and gold! It was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade St. in Harrisburg, PA and the Local was out in force! Green T-shirts with gold lettering was the order of the day for the Officers, Business Agents, members and their families who participated in the parade. The local’s tractor-trailer and support vehicle were decorated for the event, and with the marchers around the vehicles Teamster pride was on display! After the parade Local President Ed Thompson commented, “I would like to thank the members who took the time to come out on a Saturday to support the Local Union. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has a long tradition in Harrisburg and the Local feels it is important to become involved in the community where our members live and work”.

Ready to head to the parade!

The perfect parade hat!

The Pony Express rides again!

To view more pictures from the parade please visit the Photo Gallery

In accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 1 of the International Constitution you are hereby notified that the 29^th International Convention of the International Brotherhood of

Teamsters (the "Convention") will convene in the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 27, 2016,at 9:00 a.l11. at the Paris Las Vegas, for the purpose of nominating candidates for Regional and At-Large Vice-President positions; nominating candidates for International Trustee

positions; and nominating candidates for the offices of President of Teamsters Canada, General Secretary-Treasurer, and General President; considering amendments to the International Constitution; and transacting such other business as the Convention may lawfully consider in

accordance with the Convention Rules.

To download, view, and print the full IBT Convention Call follow the link below:

2016 Convention Call

Marching bands, bagpipes, and plenty of kilts! Local 776 will once again be participating in the Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade held on Saturday March 19, 2016. Come on out, show your Teamster Pride and have a good time! Local 776 Officers, Business Agents, members and their families will again be participating in the parade in support of the Local Union. We will meet at the Harrisburg Union Hall by 10:45 AM and proceed as a group to the parade staging area. So wear your green, wear your Union colors and support the Local Union!

Local 776 members marching in the 2015 parade!